Felomena B. Mateo

Felomena B. Mateo was born on August 7, 1930 in Morong Rizal, Philippines. She was the only child of Alejandro Bautista and Pilar Mananghaya. She lived in Morong Rizal from 1930, her birth, to 1981when she later moved to Chicago, West Covina, and finally San Diego, where she lived until her death.

SCHOOLING AND WORK

Felomena (also known as “Minay”) went to Tomas Claudio Elementary School and Morong High School (Class of 1951). She then went to work as a self employed beautician with her own beauty parlor located in her house. She was a well known in the community for her work and was surely missed by her regular customers when she immigrated to Chicago.

MARRIAGE AND FAMILY

Leonardo and Felomena met in high school. They were married on Jan 10, 1954. Eventually they had 1 child, Tess, a son-in-law, Mike, and two grandchildren, Bryan and Kimberly. In 2004, Miling and Minay celebrated their 50th Wedding Anniversary surrounded by their family and close friends.

HOBBIES

Felomena’s adult life was focused on her job. She was up early to take care of her family and stay up late at night to tend to her customers still at her beauty parlor. While in America, she also enjoyed going to casinos, gardening, and watching American Soap Operas in Chicago. She also enjoyed Teleserye /Variety Show when TFC and GMA become mainstream programming.

SUMMARY

Minay aka Mena from her American friends was a remarkably good, thoughtful, hardworking, and fun-loving person. But mostly what I saw was a woman that took care of me, and took care of everyone else that she loved. A wife, a mother, and a grandmother who let us know—every single day—how fiercely she loves us.